LONG BLOG

I can't help but find myself drawn in and fascinated by Microsoft and other technology companies' constant crusade to make the already simple..well simpler. I absolutely love the integration of video game consoles with other types of media and entertainment. The integration of humanities entertainment and media wants and needs is a great step into a more positive overall entertainment experience. Integration takes away from the amount of devices we need to purchase for all of our technology wants. I do not want to have consoles, a DVD player, a Blu-Ray player, a cable box, a modem, sling-box, and the mass amount of cabling required for all of this sitting on top of and around my TV stand. I just could not handle that and honestly I don't think my TV stand or electrical outlets could either. The integration of these devices into as few as possible is just an overall win.

As a consumer...as a gamer...how could I not love the integration of gaming systems and other forms of entertainment media? As Microsoft and Sony in particular are companies in a competitive field, the need to come up with the next biggest and best thing is very important to stay ahead of the game. With companies such as these working around the clock to make my gaming and entertainment experiences as simple as possible how could I not be 100 percent behind it? As someone who mostly just plays games and watches minimal TV, a smaller option of channels such as through XBOX Lives upcoming deal with TV providers is perfect. I would rather spend a few extra dollars a month for this service than have to go through the overpriced Comcast or Verizon for my TV services.

The obvious reason behind why this is a topic of discussion is Microsoft's recent deal to bring nearly 40 worldwide live TV stations to the Xbox Live community. This brings these TV stations to a platform that already hosts such companies as Netflix and Hulu. Don Mattrick, president of the Interactive Entertainment Business at Microsoft said earlier this week,

“Combining the world’s leading TV and entertainment providers with the power of Kinect for Xbox 360* and the intelligence of Bing voice search will make TV and entertainment more personal, social and effortless.”

I also do not think that having the computer system suggest what shows I should watch based on previous rankings or programs viewed qualifies as personal relations. I do not see how being able to change the channel with Bing voice search will qualify this as a social encounter. I have also never quite realized the effort involved with watching TV and other types of entertainment. I guess when my fingers get all beat up shot-gunning some noobs in Gears 3 I won't have to reach over to get the remote control and make that brutal switch from input 1 to input 2 to pop the cable on? But I just don't care. I am absolutely thrilled by Microsoft's acquisition of these live TV stations and will be on board immediately once everything is settled and released. Why? Because yet again it is a new stepping stone in the technology world that make my life a tiny tiny tiny bit easier.

LOOK WHO CAME:

Three day old threads are only visible to verified humans - this helps our small community management team stay on top of spam

Sorry for the extra step!

About LazrGuidedPandaone of us since 3:59 PM on 10.06.2011

Full time game-aholic with a necessary IT career for feeding my better habits.

I began my gaming career in my Grandma's attic rocking classics such as Space Invaders and Pitfall on the Atari. Since then I ran through the typical gauntlet of consoles from Nintendo, Super Nintendo, Sega Genesis, N64, Sega Dreamcast, Playstation, Playstation 2, Xbox, and now I have a PS3, Wii, and my personal champion the Xbox 360. I have always had a soft spot for PC gaming, but if something comes out for both PC and console I will mostly always roll console.

I'm a big fan of run and gun gaming, especially when it comes to competitive multiplayer. I have always been competitive and love the feeling of defeating other real people rather than overcoming AI. I believe that the human element/emotion brings a 3D aspect and evolution to choices in gaming that AI cannot provide, and the best test of real skill is against other people (Sorry MMO PVE-ers >_<). I do however enjoy most RPGs, strategy gaming, and really any campaign with a good story.

Currently I am Beta testing SWTOR and getting a good fill of Gears of War 3 multiplayer on the side. I am really excited to start playing through Dark Souls as Demon Souls was truly an amazing game. I am also looking forward to playing through Naruto's new game as I have a huge anime obsession as well!